The Chrome Cranks definitely are the best band coming out of New York right now. It's a sad fact that fame, even when most deserved, somehow is elusive or delayed in its reciprocation. It's been approximately four years since the Cranks have released any "new" material. The fact is that both of their two full-length releases, the self-titled album on Matador/PCP, as well as Dead Cool on Crypt, have considerable offerings that may not have been exploited to the hilt.

To ensure that the tail of the slinky has enough time to catch up with forward thrust, Jerry Teel, one of thee godfathers of punk blues, and the rest of the Chrome Cranks have already busied themselves by releasing their earliest material via Oily Cranks. The last place to go would be to release a live album.

The fact is that the music sounds oh-so-much-better live. Punk blues of this sort is best appreciated live, red an' raw. It's too easy to grow weary of all the Spencer-ish, Crypt-ish, Oblivion-ish R&B out there, when all that shit gets all neutered in the studio. Live In Exile throws the bone back to the dogs where it belongs. Definitely the best versions of existing Cranks material out there and the best way to hear it other than havin' it actually bearing down on you at a club. GPO Box 542d, Melbourne, Vic 3001, Australia